Chairman Sir,
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. WHO estimates there may be 50 million dengue cases worldwide every year.
In Singapore, there were 5,103 cases reported last year. Although this is an increase of 13.5 per cent from 2009, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) has stated that it has dengue infections under control.
Over the years, dengue has become part and parcel of our environmental health risk. As of today, there are still pockets of active cluster of dengue cases in Singapore.
A lot of manpower is needed to deal with an outbreak of dengue fever. Such an outbreak can cause anxiety amongst the population as witnessed in the past. Although NEA has the problem under control, it should not rest on its laurels because no one knows when or where the next cycle of outbreak would happen.
Recently, it was reported that Thai scientists have successfully developed the world’s first dengue fever vaccine. It was also reported that British scientists have created genetically sterile mosquitoes that use sex to get rid of their own species. The British had even carried out a small trial in the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean with promising results.
In Singapore, the Environmental Health Institute (EHI) is the national authority on mosquitoes. It conducts vector surveillance and control operations to prevent the transmission of vector-borne diseases to human.
I would like to find out is EHI doing any research to counter the spread of dengue fever in Singapore. Is it working on any ground breaking method to contain this infectious disease and what is the progress made so far?
Would the Government bring in the dengue fever vaccine from Thailand if it is proven to be safe and effective?